Richie & Mo

I know Ringo Starr often refers second wife Barbara Bach as the 'love of his life' and right he should be. They have been married for over 30 years and are still going strong. However, I do believe that Ringo has two loves of his life, Barbara and his first wife Maureen Tigrett. Not just because Maureen is the classic 'mother of his children' but it's also because Maureen knew Ringo before he joined the Beatles, she knew Richie Starkey, pre famous when nobody knew his name. Ringo has always counted Maureen as his family, and he was at her bedside when she passed away a little over 20 years ago. The one thing I really don't like is reading certain Beatles/Ringo fans blaming Maureen for the break-down of the marriage after her affair with George Harrison. Yes, it was the last straw. But Maureen isn't 100% of the blame. Ringo wasn't exactly becoming fun to hang around with- it was during the time he was drinking heavily, the break up of the Beatles with depression and feeling at a loss while finding work (film), restarting his career as a soloist musician, his own infidelity. Meanwhile Maureen got married young, had children young, went through several hairstyle changes, probably having an identity crises of who's Maureen that's not Joseph and Florence Cox's daughter, Ringo Starr's wife and mother of 3 (before Isaac and Augusta Tigrett existed)? Not to mention the pressure of living with a rock star with fans coming to their home, mail and reporters/early paparazzi. Perhaps if they had less stress like his drinking problem and infidelity taken out of the equation then their marriage would have lasted longer than it did. However, that being said, both Ringo and Maureen found love in Barbara and Isaac, they all settled on a family vibe. I definitely know that Ringo treats Augusta, Maureen's daughter with Isaac, as part of the family. Peace and love, as Ringo says.